POLICE hunting a gang of armed raiders which struck at a Suffolk bank believed a local hotelier may have crucial information.The raiders struck on Monday as a security van delivered to the Nationwide in Market Place, Mildenhall, at 8pm and detectives heading the inquiry say the four men involved could have stayed at a hotel or guest house in the area last weekend.

James Mortlock

POLICE hunting a gang of armed raiders which struck at a Suffolk bank believed a local hotelier may have crucial information.

The raiders struck on Monday as a security van delivered to the Nationwide in Market Place, Mildenhall, at 8pm and detectives heading the inquiry say the four men involved could have stayed at a hotel or guest house in the area last weekend.

Four men wearing balaclava helmets and camouflage clothing threatened both the driver, who was still in the van, and the security guard, who was in the building.

The gang smashed windows at the bank and threatened the security guard with what was believed to be a Taser-style gun before snatching three boxes containing a large quantity of cash - believed to run into several thousand pounds.

They made off in a silver, W registration Vauxhall Omega, heading towards the A11. Neither the driver nor the security guard were hurt in the raid.

Det Insp John Brocklebank, who is leading the investigation, said: “I would like to thank the public and media for their support during this inquiry, we have received lots of calls relating to this incident and officers have taken a number of witness statements. We have also conducted house-to-house inquiries and visited other businesses in the area, CCTV is being looked at and we are also sharing information with other forces.

“As well as any witnesses or anyone with any information, I would particularly like to hear from anyone running a hotel or guest house in Mildenhall or the surrounding area who may have had a group of males staying last weekend, with the silver Vauxhall Omega.

“The cartridges containing the stolen money have also yet to be recovered - anyone who thinks they may have found these is asked not to handle them and to call police.”

People with any information about the robbery should call Mildenhall CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.